CLIPBOARD : HISTORICAL DISTRICTS AND SITES TOURS

If traipsing through the past appeals to you, there are several organizations that sponsor tours of historical districts and sites in the county. Some tours are guided, others are “suggested routes” that take you by buildings and homes that date back to the last century or even further. The following is a list of historical tours available in Orange County.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

A walking tour of historical sites in the city, sponsored by the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society, is held every Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Participants meet at the El Peon pottery shop, and the cost is $1.

The tour is an hourlong, one-mile walk down Camino Capistrano and Los Rios Street. Highlights include Mission San Juan Capistrano, Montanez Adobe, O’Neill Museum, Rios Adobe, Santa Fe railroad station and the Judge Richard Egan house.

Contact the historical society at (714) 493-8444 for more information.

TUSTIN

The Tustin Area Historical Society has a brochure for people who would like to go on a self-guided tour through the city’s historical district. The tour is a 2-mile stretch of Main Street, between Williams Street and Newport Avenue, with a couple of detours on to El Camino Real and A and C streets.

Since people live in many of the historical homes along the way, the tour is a sidewalk one only. Nearly 12 decades of Tustin’s past are here, and buildings along the route include the Stevens, Vance, Snow Leinburger, Allen and Hewes houses, all of which were built before the turn of the century.

For more information, visit the Tustin Area Historical Society Museum at 395 El Camino Real or call (714) 731-5701.

PLACENTIA

The Placentia Historical Committee has also developed a brochure for those who want to go on a self-guided tour of the city’s historical sites.

“Our historical sites are scattered throughout the city because this was originally an agricultural area” and there was no early group of buildings, said Jack Slota, assistant city administrator.

Two buildings in Placentia, the Bradford House and the George Key Ranch, are on the National Register of Historical Sites, he said.

The brochure is available at City Hall, 401 E. Chapman Ave. Call (714) 993-8117 for more information.

SANTA ANA

The county’s historical programs department sponsors tours of the Old Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special group tours can also be arranged. Those interested are asked to contact a docent on the third floor of the courthouse during those hours.

The tour of the courthouse, built in 1901, includes the courtroom, judge’s chambers and jury room, restored to their appearance at the turn of the century. A permanent exhibit detailing Orange County’s history is also on view.

Contact the historical programs department at (714) 834-3703 to arrange for a group tour or for more information.